Netanyahu held security meeting to receive updates on the prisoner exchange proposal with Hamas and the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a security meeting on Tuesday evening to receive updates on the prisoner exchange proposal and ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the meeting included Defense Minister Israel Katz, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and members of the Israeli negotiating team.

The meeting was held in light of some progress in the negotiations, with the aim of receiving updates on a proposal to release hostages and discussing the next steps.

Earlier Tuesday, the Israeli Prisoners’ Families Authority said in a statement that an agreement for the exchange of their relatives held in the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire were ready, and that Netanyahu could sign it, Wednesday, if he so wished.

This came after Netanyahu said in a recorded video released by his office on Tuesday that there had been significant progress in prisoner exchange negotiations and a ceasefire in Gaza.

But he added, “It’s too early to give hope… We’re working tirelessly now and always,” adding, “I hope we can move forward”.

Netanyahu, who has traditionally avoided concluding a prisoner exchange deal, hasn’t revealed the nature of the progress achieved.

The Israeli opposition and prisoners’ families assert that Netanyahu is continuing the war in deference to the more extreme right-wing faction within his government, to advance his personal political interests, particularly his continued hold on power.

Hamas has repeatedly declared its willingness to release Israeli prisoners “in one batch” in exchange for an end to the war of extermination, the withdrawal of the Israeli army from Gaza, and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

But Netanyahu is evading the situation by proposing new conditions, including the disarmament of Palestinian factions, and is currently insisting on reoccupying the Gaza Strip.